Desmond Okon, a journalist with TheCable, has been selected as one of the fellows for the fourth edition of MTN Nigeria’s media innovation programme (MIP).
The MTN-MIP, run by the school of media and communication of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), is a capacity-building initiative for media practitioners in Nigeria.
The scheme is a fully funded certificate fellowship for innovative storytellers and media leaders that will equip them with new skills needed to function in the rapidly changing media world.
The programme is expected to last for six weeks (30 days), spread across six months from May 19 to October 24, 2025.
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Okon is one of 20 fellows selected from a competitive pool of over 3,000 applications for the 2025 MTN-MIP cohort four.
With a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of Nigeria, Okon leads a brilliant team of journalists covering Nigeria’s economy as the head of the business desk at TheCable Newspaper Limited.
Prior to joining TheCable, he was a correspondent at BusinessDay Media, a business intelligence newspaper, where he executed various tasks, including leading a team for the production of ‘BusinessDay Diary’, the first-ever serial documentary on entrepreneurs produced in the company.
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He is also a 2021 fellow of Maternal Figures, and as a freelance photographer, his work has appeared on Anthrow Circus, an international publication.
With interests in under-reported stories, the journalist’s work cuts across business, investigations, gender, health, human rights, environment, and development.
While his reports have been referenced in several academic publications, he has attended and covered international events, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring and annual meetings in Washington, D.C.
Okon is recognised for his in-depth feature reporting, which explores precision journalism techniques and data to tell stories about Nigeria and Africa’s economy and help businesses and individuals make informed decisions.
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Other fellows selected for the programme include Adaku Onyenucheya of The Guardian, Adebayo Adeyemi Michael of the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Adebayo Abolaji of New Telegraph, Chinwe Michael of BusinessDay, Precious Igbonwelundu of The Nation, and Royal Ibeh of Leadership Newspapers.
Others are Adekeye Ayobami of ADAMIM ‘O’ GO 93.1 FM, Amarachi Ubani of Channels Television, Blessings Mosugu of News Central TV, Georgina Ndukwe-Ezeanyika of Arise News, Precious David-Ogaga of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Tega Onojaife of Smooth 98.1 FM, Vanessa Richard-Bassey of Sparkling 92.3 FM, and Zainab Adam of SMK Radio 96.5 FM.
In addition, Asukwo Oduo of Pulse Nigeria, David Afolayan of TechNext, Edun Rebecca of Megalometrics, Eshokeme James of Africa News, and Salem King, a digital content creator, were other selected participants.
Speaking on the initiative, Tobe Okigbo, chief corporate services and sustainability officer of MTN Nigeria, said the MIP was created to spark innovation in the media space by equipping journalists and content creators with the tools, exposure and network to thrive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.
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